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Isle of Iona, Scotland

Spirit of Celts

Portsmouth - Dublin - Example 13 Day Cruise aboard SH Vega
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Embark on a captivating 13-day Spirit of Celts cruise aboard SH Vega, exploring the British Isles with a light-hearted spirit. Start in historic Portsmouth, boasting a naval legacy and an enticing Historic Dockyard. Sail to Fowey, a Celtic-inspired Cornish town, and enjoy the wonderful selection of shops and eateries to explore. Discover the Isles of Scilly's breathtaking beauty, Tresco Abbey Garden, and historic landmarks. Explore Bantry's charming harbor, Dingle's rugged cliffs, and Galway's medieval charm. Killybegs offers a glimpse into Ireland's fishing history amidst stunning landscapes. Iona, steeped in spirituality, leads to Loch Ewe's naval history and Oban's scenic allure. Conclude your adventure in vibrant Dublin, delving into its rich cultural tapestry and iconic landmarks.
Rugged coastlines of the British IslesTurquoise waters surrounding the islandsAdventures in Europe. Scottish marine bandIona Abbey on the Isle of IonaExplore DublinStroll through historic DublinGet a taste of Dublin's nightlifeIsle of Iona, Scotland
Highlights
  • Discover Portsmouth's naval heritage and historic dockyard attractions
  • Experience the diverse attractions of the Isles of Scilly
  • Uncover Bantry's ancient history amidst picturesque surroundings
  • Roam through Dingle's craggy cliffs, hidden beaches, and historic sites
Activities
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Portsmouth, England

Arrive at Heathrow Airport, and head on to the hotel via the group transfer to Southampton. Relax, and spend the overnight here preparing for your adventure.

*specific hotel and location to be announced

Day 2: Portsmouth, England | Embark

In the morning, join the group and transfer to Portsmouth. Afterward, embark on SH Vega for your adventure

Your Anglo-French cruise begins in the UK’s only island city and the world’s oldest dry dock. With easy access by rail and road from airports in London and Southampton, Portsmouth has a long and proud naval heritage. Board your boutique ship, following in the footsteps of the likes of Admiral Nelson and Henry VIII as you settle in for your voyage. If time permits, the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is definitely worth a visit. The attraction is home to a wonderful collection of famous historical ships including Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory, Queen Victoria’s HMS Warrior, and the only surviving ship from the First World War’s Gallipoli campaign, the HMS M.33. A very fitting way to begin your seafaring adventure.

Day 3: Fowey, England

Returning back across the channel, arrive in the picturesque Cornish town of Fowey. With strong ties to its Celtic roots, this beautiful historical town has a wonderful selection of shops and eateries to explore. Nearby find the world-famous Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. The port here is deep but small, so with your boutique cruise ship as the star attraction, you can be guaranteed a warm, friendly Cornish welcome.

Included Excursions

SCENIC CORNISH DRIVE & POLPERRO
  • Enjoy a scenic drive through the peaceful Cornish countryside and its granite farmhouses.
  • Discover Polperro, a quaint old Cornish fishing village, and its charming winding streets and pretty cottages.
  • Opportunity to try the local and traditional Cornish pasty

 

Day 4: Tresco, Isles of Scilly, England

Reach one of Britain’s most peaceful and beautiful places today. The Isles of Scilly are a low-lying archipelago that lies 45 kilometers off Cornwall. The Gulf Stream provides a mild climate in which flowers and other flora thrive and the Isles’ white-sand beaches and lapping translucent green sea could easily be mistaken for the Caribbean. From the world-famous Tresco Abbey Garden with its 20,000 species from all over the globe and Elizabethan castles to fortresses to Bronze Age sites and illuminating lighthouses, the Isles of Scilly boasts several outstanding attractions to be enjoyed.

Included Excursions

TRESCO ABBEY GARDENS
  • Walk through the ruins of the Benedictine priory that the garden is now built on
  • Discover their immaculate collection of Valhalla figureheads and decorative carvings from shipwrecks dating from the 19th century
  • Replenish with a traditional Cream Tea in the garden cafe before heading back to the pie

Day 5: Bantry, Ireland

Amid the headlands and islands of Ireland’s southwest, Bantry is a charming harbor town on Bantry Bay, The town is surrounded by ancient history. Kealkill megalithic stone circle and standing stones, 6th-century Kilnaruane Pillar Stone, and 16th-century Carraiganass Castle, all in prime walking territory. More recent is the grandiose early 18th-century Bantry House with its Italianate gardens pouring down to the water’s edge. The bay’s Garinish Island is a garden paradise while Seal Island is busy with friendly mammals.

Included Excursions

SKIBBEREEN HERITAGE TOWN & TRADITIONAL IRISH PUB
  • Explore the beautiful coastal village of Skibbereen, considered the capital of West Cork region.
  • Deepen your connection to Ireland by talking with a local historian about the Potato Famine and its unforgettable impact
  • In Ballydehob, enjoy a refreshing drink and live traditional Irish music in a unique and quirky pub located in the town center
A LEISURELY DRIVE THROUGH WEST CORK TOWNS
 

Day 6: Dingle, Ireland

One of Ireland’s westernmost ports, on Dingle Peninsula, Dingle is a place of craggy cliffs, crashing waves, and hidden beaches. The historic fishing village sits on a lake-like estuary, its narrow mouth guarded by its Victorian lighthouse, reachable by a 6 km return coastal walk rich in viewpoints. Other hikes take in everything from mountain ridges to deserted beaches. Plenty of historic sites: medieval Garfinny Bridge over the Garfinny river, 15th-century Gallarus Castle, and Reask monastic site, parts dating back to the 6th century.

Included Excursions

WILD ATLANTIC WAY - DINGLE PENINSULA
  • Engage with all of the interactive displays, artifacts, audio-video presentations and exhibitions the museum has to offer
  • Take in breathtaking headlands hugged by the shimmering North Atlantic on your coastal drive
  • Learn from local experts about the authors behind literary classics like ‘The Islandman,’ ‘Twenty Years A-Growing’ and ‘Peig’

Day 7: Galway, Ireland

A harbor city on Ireland’s west coast, Galway has the air of Dublin, centered on 18th-century Eyre Square, with its elegant university and other stylish architecture, whether the playful design of the 1960s cathedral or widespread medieval creations. Head out for a world of walks, many exploring pristine stretches of coast. Galway Atlantaquaria, the National Aquarium of Ireland, sits on the waterfront and boasts more than 1,00 species from the Atlantic and its lakes and rivers.

Included Excursions

GALWAY CITY & COUNTRYSIDE
  • Visit Galway Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland with a 145-ft dome
  • From Salthill, enjoy views of the Aran Islands, Galway City and the mountains of Connemara
  • On your way back to the pier, make one last stop at the charming village of Moycullen
A WALK THROUGH GALWAY CITY
  • Step out of the ordinary with this in-depth experience of Irish culture
  • See the farmer in action as he maneuvers his flock with the help of his loyal sheepdog and be invited to hand-feed newborn lambs (if in season)
  • Learn the history of the 14 tribes that earned Galway the nickname “The City of Tribes”

Day 8: Killybegs, Ireland

Killybegs is a small town located in County Donegal, Ireland. It is known for its beautiful scenery and friendly locals. The city is situated on the coast and has a bustling fishing industry. Visitors can take a tour of the harbor and learn about the history of the town’s fishing industry. The city is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, including mountains, forests, and beaches.

Included Excursions

DONEGAL TRADITIONS & FOLKLORE
  • Drive through some of the most spectacular, picturesque, and ruggedly beautiful areas of Donegal, Ireland's most remote county.
  • Visit Glencolmcille Folk Village, which is steeped in the culture, tradition, language and lifestyle of southwest Donegal: see the school house were the children learned the Irish language, discover the old Irish cures, or enjoy a demonstration of spinning and weaving in this area renowned for its tweed.
  • Enjoy refreshments accompanied by a performance of traditional Irish Music
THE WILD SLIABH LIAG CLIFFS
 

Day 9: Iona Island, Scotland

No matter your belief system, spending time on Iona is good for the soul. This isle, located in the Inner Hebrides which hugs close to the western coast of Scotland, has more than a millennium of spiritual connections. Barely 100 people reside in the spot where St Columba brought Christianity to Scotland, so it’s mostly untouched and untamed. Iona is famed for its abbey, which Columba and his Irish followers found in 563 CE. It was in these contemplative cloisters that the sacred treasure, the Book of Kells, was created. The illuminated manuscript was taken to Ireland in 807 CE in an attempt to keep it safe from marauding Vikings. Very little of the gorgeous granite sacred structure you see dates from these times, a Benedictine building was built on the original site in around 1200.

Included Excursions

DISCOVER IONA ABBEY ON FOOT
  • Explore Iona Abbey, one of Scotland's most historic and sacred sites. See the impressive collection of over 180 medieval carved stones and crosses.
  • Learn about the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland and the arrival of St Columba. Today, Iona remains a place of pilgrimage and spirituality
  • This short tour still allows plenty of free time afterward to remain in town and discover the lovely little shops and cafes

Day 10: Stornoway | Loch Ewe, Scotland

The capital of the most populous island in the Outer Hebrides, Lewis, is a windswept, rugged place famed for its weavers who make world-famous Harris Tweed. The spellbinding Callanish Stones on the west coast, are standing stones in a cruciform pattern with a central stone circle. This circle is thought to have been built some 500 years before Stonehenge, in 3,000 BC, making it (along with one on Orkney) the UK’s oldest.

Included Excursions

ANCIENT LEWIS & BLACKHOUSE VILLAGE
  • Visit the Callanish Standing Stones
  • Learn about the construction of the blackhouses which involved dry stone masonry and thatched roofs
  • Take a break for unforgettable views overlooking the Atlantic coast

Loch Ewe in the Scottish Highlands is a sheltered deep water loch with a big Naval history. During World War II the Home Fleet stayed here, it was a base for Arctic convoys – and a post-war depot for captured German U-boats. NATO still has a base here for submarine servicing. The loch, with low-lying Ewe Island in the middle, is a beauty spot with Inverewe, a Victorian garden rich in exotic plants, sitting on the banks.

Included Excursions

NVEREWE GARDENS EXCLUSIVE VISIT
  • Marvel at this feast of human achievement where a father and daughter were able to turn barren wilderness into thriving landscapes in the 19th century
  • Take a ride around the shores of the peninsula before getting dropped by Zodiac to your destination
  • Become familiar with the rare plant species that thrive in the heritage gardens thanks to the effects of the Gulf Stream meeting the Highlands

Day 11: Oban, Scotland

Oban is a beautiful seaside town located on the west coast of Scotland. It is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich history. The city is surrounded by miles of dramatic shores and beautiful countryside. Oban, also known as the Seafood Capital of Scotland, is home to the Oban Distillery, which produces some of Scotland’s finest whisky.

Included Excursions

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS & GLENCOE
  • Enjoy the incredible scenery during a panoramic drive around the tip of Loch Awe with views of Kilchurn Castle
  • Visit the award-winning Glencoe visitor center to learn more about the history, geology, and nature of this region
  • View Castle Stalker, a tower house on its own islet set against a dramatic backdrop of mountains.

Day 12: Portrush | Rathlin Island, Northern Island

This small town is the gateway to one of Northern Ireland’s most popular destinations - the Causeway Coast with clifftop walks and beaches. Top of the bill is the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway with its 40,000 basalt formations. The crashing Atlantic on one side, towering cliffs on the other, it is Northern Ireland’s number-one attraction, leaving the question: is this prehistoric volcanic activity or the handiwork of two legendary Celtic giants?

Included Excursions

ANTRIM COAST & GIANT'S CAUSEWAY
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Giant's Causeway and see the breathtaking views of the North Antrim Coast
  • Discover Dunluce Castle one of the most picturesque and romantic of Irish Castles.
ANTRIM COAST & GIANT'S CAUSEWAY
  • Listen as your guide tells the story of the early Christians and Vikings who were drawn to the Dunluce Castle where an Irish fort once stood
  • Walk through the castle for an up-close look at the details fortified in the 16th and 17th century
This mountainous, sparsely populated isle off the northern coast of Ireland is filled with interest. Attractions include the little harbor with its fishing boats, the lighthouse, a cave where Robert the Bruce hid after fleeing Scotland following his defeat by the English, a neolithic settlement site, and a puffin-packed RSPB seabird center.

Included Excursions

CRUISING OR ZODIAC CRUISE ALONG THE BIRDS' CLIFFS
  • In addition to seals and eider ducks, be on the lookout for elegant herons and oystercatchers in their natural habitat
  • Spend time chatting with your team of expert guides about the landscapes and wildlife you’ll encounter
  • Connect with the natural wonders that call this place home

Day 13: Dublin | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Your cruise ends today in Dublin, the Republic of Ireland’s capital. It’s at times gritty and in places, gorgeous – Georgian squares, hidden parks, and tree-lined canals. It’s lively, complex, cosmopolitan, and eminently walkable. So bid farewell to Vega and start exploring, if time allows before your flight home. Come full circle and visit The Long Room in the Old Library in stately Trinity College to inspect the Book of Kells produced on Iona. The Long Room itself is much lauded for its beauty – it’s a stunning, two-story, barrel-vaulted space that houses 200,000 of Trinity’s oldest books and manuscripts. Elsewhere, the new Museum of Literature Ireland, the National Museum of Ireland, Christ Church and St Patrick’s Cathedrals, the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, and Glasnevin Cemetery entice visitors – just be sure to stop into a snug somewhere for a pint.

Ship/Hotel

SH Vega

SH Vega

SH Vega

5-star elegant Scandi-design boutique ship offers you an intimate setting from which you will be fully immersed in all the sights and scenery of your voyage.
SH Vega
SH Vega Club Lounge
SH Vega Club Lounge

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

This itinerary is no longer available. For other trip ideas, please visit Ireland Luxury Cruises.
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
Oceanview D4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
Oceanview M4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Balcony
Balcony D5
28 m2, Located at the forward and aft of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
Balcony M5
28 m2, Located at the center of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
Balcony D6
28 m2, Located on deck six, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
SH Vega SuitePremium suitePremium Suite
Suite
44 m2, Our Suites features a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
SH Vega Suite PremiumSH Vega Suite PremiumPremium suitePremium Suite
Premium Suite
49 m2, Our grandest suites feature a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a spacious walk-in wardrobe, and a 12 sq.m private balcony.
Included
  • 12 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners
  • 12 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Wifi
  • Self-service laundry 
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
  • Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
  • Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
  • One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
  • 24-hour room service
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • We recommend every traveler to take out a travel cancellation insurance, travel interruption insurance and a travel health insurance policy with an assumption of the return transport costs of repatriation

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Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
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Really enjoyed Thatch Caye. The staff was great. Really liked our guide Raffi. And snorkeling at night was wonderful.
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This is an amazing company to work with. I generally do not use tour companies as I am more of an independent traveller so I was slightly reticent. They were fantastic from the start - 10/10 - from lining up a phone call to discuss requirements, then their ongoing communication in the lead up to the tour and during it (thank you, Franny and Phen). They also explored cost-effective options (eg group transfers). The tour was in Patagonia so Adventure Life organised a pickup from the El Calafate airport to the El Chalten accommodation, two day hikes with a private guide and then to the El Calafate accommodation. A tour coordinator came to the hotel to explain, using the maps, what was involved in each day tour and what should be expected, and patiently answered all questions. The tour guide Marcos was excellent - very professional, knowledgable, communicative and at all times felt very safe with his navigational skills (important in the Patagonian wilderness). On the second day I forgot to take hiking poles so Marcos kindly gave me his. I honestly wouldn't have changed a thing and would happily recommend and book through them again.
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